Overshoe



(No Model.)

' G. J. BAILEY.

-ovBRsHoEQ v Patented Jan. 5, 18.97.

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UNrrED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES J. BAILEY, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

OVERSHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,372, dated January5, 1897. Application iiedApril 28, 1896. Serial No. 589,359. (No modelTo (LM whom, t 71mg/ concern,.-

Be it known that l, CHARLES J. BAILEY, of Newton, county of Middlesex,State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Footholds,ofwhich the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representinglike parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a novel overshoewhich I have designated as a foothold or fore-part indiarubber.

Prior to my invention it has been custom ary to provide india-rubbersandals with a strap to surround the heel or counter of the shoe to keepthe sandal on the foot, as in United States Patent No. l32,96"7, datedJuly 29, 1890.

The inner end of my foothold terminates in the shank of the shoe to beprotected, t-he foothold being retained upon the shoe by the fasteningof a top strap extended from the inner end or terminal point of thefoothold over the top of the shoe in front of its ankle portion, thestrain of said strap when fastened fitting the foothold firmly to theshoe and keeping it in place thereon, the lit of the terminal end of thefoothold to the shoe being dust and water tight. In this way I amenabled to dispense with the back strap used in my said patent, itextending backwardly about the back end of the heel ofl the shoe andresting on the said heel above the counter, the strain of the back strapholding the foothold on the shoe.

In the use of the back strap I have found that it soon broke down theback of the heel of the shoe and wore the same objectionably, and thatit would catch and hold water at its upper side, which would soak intothe thin part of the back of the upper.

Figure l shows in perspective a foothold embodying my invention. Fig. 2shows the same with the top strap opened. Fig. 3 shows the top strap ofFigs. l and 2 in longitudinal section and enlarged, and Fig. 4: shows amodified form of top strap.

The fore part A of the foothold is composed of a short sole a to fitunder the ball of the foot from the toe of the shoe back into the shankor instep, and rising from this sole are narrow sides a vand a toe parta2, the ends of said sides presenting aforwardly and upwardly projectingedge a4, the said edge a* being continued at one side of the footholdwith a free-ended top strap b,which is adapted to cross the top of theshoe to be protected, diagonally in front of the ankle, said straphaving at one end asuitable fastening device, as h2, which, cooperatingwith a stud b3, fastens the strap.

The top strap is unfastened when the foothold is to be prut on andremoved, and when fastened it draws the terminal end of the rubber at ornear the inner e'nd of the inner sole and the ends of the sides firmlyabout and fits the terminal end of said foothold snugly and closelyabout the shank and instep of the shoe to be protected, leaving the backof said shoe entirely unobstructed. This top strap will preferably be somade as to present a limited amount of elasticity, so that when passedand stretched about the top of the shoe it will thereafter contract tomaintain a firm hold and draw the Wale or rib @4X closely to the soleand upper in the instep, so as to exclude the mud, water, dirt, anddust, and at the same time prevent the foothold from slipping forward onthe foot. This top strap for the best results will be made detachable atone end, as at the end b', Where it may be provided with a suitablefastening device b2, preferably of the ball-and-socket variety, thecooperating member being marked b3 and attached to the part a'.

To add further to the holding efficiency of the top strap, I provide itat its under side with a series of projections c, which may be eitherround, as in Figs. 2 and 3, or elongated, as in Fig. Ll.

The strain exerted by the top strap in keeping the foothold on the footis in the direction of the length-of the wale or rib 604x, and said rib,inclined diagonally forward, is consequently drawn very snugly againstthe foot, and the strap b cannot slip down and thus lessen the closenessof the contact of the said rib with the shoe. p

I-Iaving described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an article of manufacture, a foothold composed of a short sole toextend under the toe of the sole of the shoe to be protected back intothe shank thereof, a toe part and ICO sides having their ends inclinedforwardly Ward over the top of the shoe to be protected, 2o andupwardly, the ends of said sides termisaid strap being provided with afastening nating the foothold, the edge of one of said device wherebyWhen said foothold has been ends being prolonged by a strap which is putonto the shoe to be protected, and said 5 adapted to be extendeddiagonally across the strap has been drawn snugly over the top of shoein frontof tlle'ankle of the Wearertherethe shoe in front of the anklethereof it may 25 of, said strap being connected to the end of beconnected to a eoperatingfasteningmemthe side of the foothold at theopposite side ber attached to the end of the side at the opof the solethereof, substantially as described. posite side of the sole, the saidfoothold being 1o 2. As an article of manufacture, a foothold thussecured to the shoe by means wholly in composed of a short sole toextend under the front of the ankle or instep covering portion 3o toe ofthe sole of the shoe to be protected thereof, substantially asdescribed. back into the shank thereof Where the sole In testimonywhereof I have signed my of the foothold is contracted; and a toe partname to this specification in the presence of i 5 and sides having endsinclined forwardly and two subscribing Witnesses.

upwardly, the ends of said sides terminating CHARL 3S J. BATLEY. theinner end of the foothold, the edge of one lVitnesses: of said endsbeing continued to present a free- GEO. lV. GREGORY,

ended strap adapted to extend diagonally for- ADDIE FARNUM DANIELS.

